Celebrity Fashion Designers at Fashion Week

When it comes to Hollywood these days, it’s commonplace to build an empire with one’s celebrity—and some actors, musicians, and even one or two socialites-turned-reality stars have made impressive forays into the world of fashion.

With New York Fashion Week 2012 now upon us, Biography.com picked out several sartorial-minded celebs who are either alumni or newbies to this semi-annual soiree.

So slip on those shades, purse your lips, and get ready for the catwalk to be celebrified. It’s lights, cameras, A-list fashion! fashion! fashion!

Katie Holmes – Holmes & Yang

Before she met her now ex-hubby Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes’ style would’ve been more likened to Abercrombie & Fitch—if anything. But once she got involved with Cruise (and his PR machine…ahem), the Girl Next Door suddenly started donning looks that were trendsetting and chic.

In 2008 Katie teamed up with stylist Jeanne Yang and announced the launch of her new fashion line, Holmes & Yang—a collection of versatile, day-to-night ready-to-wear pieces, which will be featured for the first time at New York Fashion Week on September 9.

Victoria Beckham – Victoria

The same day that Holmes & Yang will be strutting its stuff down the runway at Fall Fashion Week, Victoria Beckham’s line will be vying for its time in the spotlight.

The British fashion queen (and eternal scowler) is famous for her body-hugging, made-for-skinny-gals silhouettes, but recently, she’s created a collection that's given way to refined looser fits. Since she’s not pregnant anymore, we’ll see if the BFA-award winner is back to her tight-fitted ways next week.

Justin Timberlake – William Rast

Considering Justin Timberlake has made it on the best-dressed list a time or two, it wasn’t the biggest leap to envision the singer and sometimes actor spreading his fashion aesthetic to the masses.

Collaborating with designer Trace Ayala, Timberlake broke out with his new clothing line, William Rast, in 2005. Known predominantly for its premium denim, WR also produces “biker culture” tees, jackets, and hoodies for men and women and will be launching a limited edition collection for Target in December.

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen – The Row, Elizabeth & James

The famous TV twins who’ve spent most of their lives in front of the cameras are finding life behind them hardly threadbare.

First decimated and then later lauded for their unique and oversized gypsy-looking garbs, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have turned their brand names into a fashion powerhouse, producing multiple designer lines—their high-end oeuvre allocated to their London-inspired The Row and contemporary vintage-inspired Elizabeth & James.

This year the Olsen Twins entered the books of fashion royalty when they were given the coveted CFDA award for womenswear for The Row.

Nicole Richie – House of Harlow 1960, Winter Kate

My, my has Nicole Richie evolved. From Paris Hilton’s reality sidekick to controversially emaciated bobblehead to respected easy-breezy boho fashion designer, Nicole has found a way to break the glass ceiling of reality superstardom.

Her ready-to-wear collections, House of Harlow 1960 and Winter Kate, have become celebrity favorites and helped her become a judge on NBC’s reality fashion competition Fashion Star. Currently, Nicole is working on a collection for Macy's Impulse.

Kanye West – Donda West (DW)

Before there was the exhaustive entity of “Kimye,” Kanye West was on his own and doing just fine at his day job, (albeit his uncensored pie hole at awards shows is an entirely different story). Always restless and ambitious, however, the fashion-forward music mogul decided to expand his celebrity by starting his own designer label, DW.

Launched in Paris in 2011, the DW womenswear collection—named after Kanye’s late mother Donda West who died in 2007—caters to fashionistas with a sexy, dramatic flair with its mix of fur, leather, plunging necklines, and velvet get-ups. Sure sounds high maintenance, which is right up Kanye's alley.